KR20130015749A - Slave display device, set-top box, and system of controlling digital content - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A slave display device, a set-top box and a digital contents control system including the same are provided to control a TV through a GUI provided through the slave display device. CONSTITUTION: A MDD(Master Display Device)(110) receives an image generated for the master display device from a STB(Set-Top Box)(100). More than one SDD(Slave Display Device)(120) receives an image generated for the slave display device from the STB. The slave display device provides a control screen domain for controlling and offering communication information from the master display device or the slave display device to separate a display region. [Reference numerals] (121) Smart phone; (140) Terrestrial broadcasting server; (141) Cable broadcasting server; (150) Public network; (160) ISO server; (161) CP server; (162) CM server; (163) SM server; (AA) Terrestrial TV; (BB) Cable; (CC) Internet; (DD) GBit protocol

Description

Slave display device, set-top box, and system of controlling digital content}

The present invention relates to a digital content control system, and more particularly, to control the image output from the set-top box to the master display device through a separate slave display device, and through the separate slave display device TV electronic commerce (T- commerce, e-learning, banking, games, advertising, health, and a variety of interactive content as well as electronic textbooks, interactive education , Slave display devices, set-top boxes, and digital contents including the same, which provide contents that require mutual control and communication, such as various educational services such as language learning and various local services such as electronic conferencing and resident management. It relates to a control system.

Recently, various sizes and types of display devices have been released to reflect the needs of various consumers. In addition, with the popularity of smart phones, various hand-held personal devices have emerged. For example, devices including various types of display means such as smartphones, pad-type terminals, 7-inch tablet PCs, and 10-inch tablet PCs have been released. These terminals mostly function as a master device by embedding a video processing function capable of processing a large amount of graphics and video.

On the other hand, TV also provides a variety of additional services using the Internet and the interactive function (interactive) with the user apart from the function of displaying only the received airwave or cable broadcast signal. For example, smart TVs that support interworking with smartphones have recently emerged, as well as IPTVs that interoperate with PCs or servers through Internet connections. Examples of the smart TV include Apple TV, Google TV, and the like, and various additional functions using the Internet and an interactive communication function with a user are added to an existing traditional TV.

In addition, in order to receive digital broadcasting, a device called a set top box (STB) as well as a TV is additionally required. A set top box refers to a device connected to a TV, which receives a signal from an external source, converts it appropriately, and displays the content on the TV. A set-top box is a home communication terminal required to use a next-generation interactive multimedia communication service (video on demand (VOD), home shopping, network game, etc.) Also called a subscriber signal converter. It is connected to a network such as an interactive TV, a telephone, or a video transmission service of a company (for example, a video dial tone provided by a local telephone company), and is connected to a TV at home.

The set-top box communicates with a video server installed in a telephone company or a CATV station, and has a basic function of receiving and converting video signals. In addition, various standards, such as having a telephone interface or a connection interface with a personal computer (PC), are also being examined so that data communication services such as telephone and PC communication can be simultaneously used. Accordingly, in order to preoccupy the interactive TV market, telecommunications, computer, and home appliance manufacturers are competing for the production and sale of set-top boxes.

On the other hand, the set-top box does not have to have a built-in tuner, and external signals may be provided by Ethernet cable, satellite or terrestrial receiver antenna, coaxial cable, telephone line, analog VHF (Very High Frequency) or Ultra High Frequency (UHF) antennas. The contents that can be received may include video, audio, interactive content, internet web pages, and games. In addition, the recent set-top box has a basic function as well as a gateway function for external communication and home communication, and also accommodates a server function for home communication, so it is a management device that manages the internal system rather than simply providing broadcasting information. Can be interpreted as an extension.

As such, the TV may be provided with various information services as well as broadcast information through a set-top box linked with the Internet, and the service may be selected and controlled through two-way communication with the user. In order to facilitate input of a user's selection signal, the function of a remote controller needs to be variously expanded, and a need for a convenient interface is required.

In addition, with the recent increase in interest in smartphones and smart TVs, the market whether to effectively construct an eco-system from content to a terminal based on a powerful platform (eg, iTunes) It is a factor of success.

However, the conventional smartphone-related market has a profit structure centered on content producers and owners, so there is a problem in that the profits for the service providers are limited. In addition, from the user's point of view, it is not easy to combine and use various devices.

Therefore, it is required to develop a model that can bring revenue to both content owners and service providers at the same time, and to develop a method for analyzing a customer and providing various application services to users more effectively.

An object of the present invention to provide a slave display device, a set-top box and a digital content control system including the same that can control the TV through a video signal provided separately from the set-top box in the slave display device.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a slave display device, a set-top box, and a digital content control system including the same through a slave display device to receive an image through a set-top box and interlock with the TV or provide a separate screen independent of the TV. Is in.

In addition, an object of the present invention is a slave display device that can provide a TV e-commerce associated with the screen currently being broadcast through the TV by interlocking with the Internet through the set-top box in the slave display device, a set-top box and digital content control including the same In providing a system.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to extend the functionality of the set-top box to automatically provide external content to the master display device and one or more slave display devices, and the master display device and the slave display device, respectively, at the request of users. By allowing selective image processing and external information to be used individually, and controlling or exchanging information between users of each display device, the contents of the master display and slave display can be minimized. The present invention provides a slave display device, a set-top box, and a digital content control system including the same, which can be extended to provide a service.

In order to achieve the above object, the digital content control system according to the present invention generates an image for a master display device and an image for a slave display device, respectively, from the received broadcast signal, and generates the generated image for the master display device. And a set top box for transmitting to the slave display, respectively. A master display device configured to receive and display an image generated for the master display device from the set top box; And a slave display device which receives and displays an image generated for the slave display device from the set top box, and provides a control screen area for controlling the master display device or the slave display device in a separate display area. When a control command is input through the control screen area provided to the slave display device, the input control command is transmitted to the set top box, and in the set top box, the master display device or the slave by the input control command. And controlling an image for the display device.

In order to achieve the above object, the set-top box according to the present invention, the broadcast receiving unit for receiving a variety of broadcast signals; An internet access processor configured to process information received through the Internet; An application service processor configured to receive and process information related to a broadcast currently being received through the broadcast receiver; A control screen generator for generating various control screens for the broadcast screen; An MDD image constructing unit for constructing an image to be provided to a master display apparatus through information received from at least one of the broadcast receiving unit, the internet access processing unit, the application service processing unit, and the control screen generating unit; An SDD image constructing unit configured to construct an image to be provided to a slave display device through information received from at least one of the broadcast receiving unit, the internet access processing unit, the application service processing unit, and the control screen generating unit; An SDD reception signal processor configured to receive and process control information received from the slave display device; And a main controller configured to control an image to be provided to the master display device or the slave display device based on the information received through the SDD reception signal processor.

In order to achieve the above object, the slave display device according to the present invention, TV screen area for displaying various broadcast signals of the image data received from the set-top box; An internet browser screen area displaying information received from the Internet among the image data received from the set top box; And a control screen area displaying various control screens for a broadcast screen among the image data received from the set top box, wherein the master display device or slave connected to the set top box by selecting a control means displayed on the control screen area. And controlling an image of the display device.

According to the present invention, unlike the general remote control, by controlling the TV using a GUI provided through the slave display device, the user's TV control is convenient.

In addition, according to the present invention, by receiving the video signal through the set-top box in the slave display device has the advantage that it is possible to provide a separate screen independent of the TV or interlocked with the TV.

In addition, according to the present invention, by connecting to the Internet through the set-top box in the slave display device obtains the information associated with the content and the real-time screen currently being broadcast through the TV to a variety of application services (for example, TV e-commerce (T) e-learning, banking, games, advertising, health, etc.), including commerce.

In addition, by using the information on the channel currently being viewed by the user in the set-top box automatically collects the information related to the Internet, or the application of the slave display device to the advertisement, local information, emergency information that the ISO or CP wants to provide The advantage is that it can be displayed through the service screen area.

In addition, the function of the set-top box is extended so that the master display device and the slave display device can each independently select image processing and external information at the request of users, and control or information exchange between users of each display device. By providing content sharing, individual control and mutual communication, such as various educational services such as electronic textbooks, interactive education, language learning, or various local services such as electronic conferencing and resident management that require such functions, mutual control and communication There is an advantage that can effectively provide this necessary service.

In particular, since it is possible to minimize the functions of the master display and the slave display to provide a variety of services as described above, it is possible to build a very economical service system, and to add a variety of services without additional cost by adding an application service configured in the set-top box There is an outstanding effect that can be provided.

1 illustrates a digital content control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of a set-top box (STB) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed structure of a slave display device (SDD) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen configuration of a slave display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram illustrating a digital broadcast control procedure through a slave display terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of a set-top box according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a block diagram showing the structure of a system management unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a slave display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a function through embodiments of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a digital content control system for providing various digital contents including broadcast contents, controlling the same, and providing various application services through the same. In the following description, a set-top box for providing digital broadcasting contents is provided. For example, the system configuration and the various services provided through the system will be described. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to providing information related to digital broadcast content, but can be applied to any content provided to a display through various network means. That is, the set-top box named for providing digital broadcasting content in the following description may be replaced with any device capable of providing various contents according to the present invention, and replaced with a dedicated device implementing the present invention. It is also possible.

In addition, according to the present invention, when the above various contents are provided through the master display apparatus, at the same time, they are also provided through the slave display apparatus, and various application services including the provision and control of the contents are controlled through the slave display apparatus. The content can be provided.

At this time, in order to reduce the cost and simplify the functions of the slave display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, most of the image processing is processed in a control device such as a set-top box, and the slave display device to receive and output the image as it is And to perform a minimum function such as a function of transmitting a control signal.

On the other hand, the present invention proposes a separate slave display device (SDD) to control through a GUI (Graphic User Interface) rather than the form of a conventional remote control to control various functions of the set-top box. In particular, by providing an image broadcast through the current TV connected to the set-top box to the slave display device, more convenient control of the TV or set-top box is possible. In addition, by providing a display means separate from the TV receiver (ie, Master Display Device (MDD)), it is possible to receive a screen linked to or independent of the TV from the set-top box.

In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the slave display device may provide an electronic commerce (ie, 'T-commerce') associated with a screen currently being broadcast through a TV by interworking with the Internet through a set-top box. In addition, the e-learning, banking, games, advertising, and health information, including the TV e-commerce, are used using the slave display device. Various various interactive contents may be provided.

To this end, the slave display device provides a separate screen for each function such as a TV screen area, a TV control screen area, an Internet browser screen area, and an application service screen area in a fixed or variable area. Various functions according to an embodiment of the present invention can be provided.

Meanwhile, the set-top box according to the present invention processes video signals provided to the master display device (eg, a TV receiver) and the slave display device, and receives a control signal from the slave display device and outputs the video signal output to the master display device. To control.

In addition, the set-top box according to the present invention enables the master display device and the slave display device to control each other or communicate predetermined information, and if necessary, configure the displayed content differently, and interworking, individual operation, mutual communication and Allows mutual control to be implemented at minimal cost.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

1 is a diagram illustrating a digital content control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention basically includes a set-top box (hereinafter referred to as STB) 100 and a master display device. MDD ') 110 and a slave display device 120 (hereinafter, referred to as' SDD').

The MDD 110 refers to a general display device (eg, a TV receiver) for displaying a broadcast image provided from the STB 100. Therefore, the HD class image can be received and displayed through the STB 100 and the HDMI interface.

 The STB 100 performs various signal processing through communication with the SDD 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention in addition to the digital broadcast reception function provided by the conventional set top box. That is, the STB 100 receives a terrestrial TV signal or a cable broadcast signal from a terrestrial broadcast server (ie, terrestrial broadcast station) 140 or a cable broadcast server (ie, cable broadcast station) 141, and receives each received broadcast signal. Display through the MDD (110).

In addition, by transmitting the image displayed by the MDD 110 to the SDD 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide and control the screen through a separate device. In this case, when a gigabit transmission protocol is applied between the STB 100 and the SDD 120, the high-definition video signal transmitted from the STB 100 to the MDD 110 is compressed without raw data. Can be sent. As such, when the gigabit transmission protocol is applied, a processing delay may be minimized to provide an optimal environment for the user. On the other hand, when a gigabit transmission protocol is not applied, the high quality video signal may be compressed and transmitted through a communication network such as WiFi.

Meanwhile, as shown, a system may be implemented as a dedicated terminal for performing a slave display and various application service functions according to the present invention, and the general smart phone 121 may be implemented to provide a function of the SDD 120 according to the present invention. It may be. In this case, the image data may be received from the STB 100 using a short range wireless communication means such as WiFi, which is basically provided by the smartphone 121.

In addition, the SDD 120 may transmit a control signal to the STB 100 using various wireless communication means (for example, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.), and the function of the STB 100 may be transmitted through the transmitted control signal. Control or control the image signal output to the MDD (110).

In addition, the STB 100 has an Internet communication means, and various servers (eg, the ISO server 160, the CP server 161, the CM server 162, and the SM server as shown through the ISO 130). (163), etc.), it is possible to provide an application service such as T-commerce.

The ISO 130 provides an Internet communication service with each server as an Internet service operator, and provides a TV e-commerce service through the ISO server 160.

That is, when a user views a broadcast in the MDD 110 through the STB 100 supporting the SDD 120 according to the present invention, the SDD provides the same screen as the screen displayed in the MDD 110. At this time, if the user is interested in a specific object (eg, place, clothes, object, etc.) displayed on the current screen while watching a broadcast, the corresponding object is clicked on the screen of the SDD 120 or a separate screen is displayed. By selecting the link information of the target to be provided, it is possible to receive an application service for the target of interest.

In more detail, the information on the selected object and the user information are transmitted to the T-commerce server of ISO 160 through the ISO 130. In this case, the user information may be a current time, a channel, a click position on the screen, and the like.

The ISO server 160 receives the information and broadcasts the content selected by the user using a current time and channel information through a CP server (T-commerce server of Contents Provider) 161. Identify the perception. In addition, the ISO server 160 selects a target selected by the user using specific location information selected by the user on a screen at a specific time in the identified content through a T-commerce server of Contents Maker (CM) 162. It identifies and extracts information related to the object (eg, detailed information, purchase related information, SM server (T-commerce server of shopping mall) 163 information, and the like).

The extracted information is transmitted from the ISO server 160 to the STB 100 through the public network 150 and the ISO 130, and the STB 100 provides the received information to the SDD 120. Various information related to the selected object can be easily checked in real time through the SDD 120.

In this case, the function of the ISO server 160 may be processed by the application service processor 205 of the STB 100.

Hereinafter, detailed structures of the STB 100 and the SDD 120 performing various functions according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

2 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of a set-top box (STB) according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2, the STB 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a cable TV / IPTV receiver 201, a data communication I / F unit (Data Comm. I / F); 202, a main controller (203), an internet access processor (204), an application service processor (ISO / CP-Provided Application Service Processor) 205, a TV control screen generator (TV control video generator); 206), MDD video combiner (207), SDD video combiner (SDD Video Combiner; 208), SDD receive signal processor (SDD Sensor Handling Processor; 209), MDD video optimizer (MDD Video Optimizer) 210 ), SDD video optimizer 211, video compression processor 212, TV I / F unit 213, video communication I / F unit 214 , SDD data communication I / F unit (Data Comm. I / F) 215.

The cable TV / IPTV receiver 201 may be divided into a cable TV receiver and an IPTV receiver as a broadcast data receiver. The cable TV receiver performs demodulation on the cable TV signal. At this time, the demodulated data is composed of compressed video, audio, and additional information. The compressed image performs decompression according to the MPEG / H.26x standard to generate video raw data. In addition, the compressed voice performs decompression according to the MPEG / AC3 / AAC standard to generate audio raw data. In addition, the additional information is transmitted to the main control unit 203. On the other hand, the display screen composed of the video source data is a pure TV display screen, which is displayed in the TV display area of the MDD (110) or SDD (120).

The IPTV receiver is a part for processing IPTV data received through the Internet, and the IPTV data is composed of compressed video, audio, and additional information. In this case, the compressed video is decompressed according to the MPEG / H.26x standard as in the cable TV receiver to generate video raw data. In addition, the compressed voice performs decompression according to the MPEG / AC3 / AAC standard to generate audio raw data. In addition, the additional information is transmitted to the main control unit 203. On the other hand, the display screen composed of the video source data is a pure TV display screen, which is displayed in the TV display area of the MDD (110) or SDD (120).

The data communication I / F unit 202 is a data communication channel for performing data communication separate from the reception of the TV broadcast content received by the cable TV / IPTV receiver 201. The communication means through the interface may be WiFi, 3G communication, or any wired / wireless communication means capable of internet connection.

The main controller 203 performs a main control function of the STB 100 supporting various functions through the SDD 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, the information of the current TV broadcast content is continuously updated and provided to the user through the Internet connection. In addition, the user receives a command desired through the SDD reception signal processor 209 to control display configurations of the MDD (ie, TV) 110 and the SDD 120. In addition, it controls TV setting changes such as TV channel change and voice control, controls Internet access through the SDD 120, and controls application services provided by CP and ISO such as 'T-commerce'.

The internet access processing unit 204 controls a user's access to the internet through the SDD 120. The Internet access processing unit 204 generates an Internet display area separately from the TV display area to provide various information.

The application service processor 205 controls application services (eg, T-commerce, local advertisements, local information, emergency information, etc.) provided by a content provider (CP) or an internet service operator (ISO). That is, an application service such as a T-commerce service may be provided to a user with respect to matters related to content currently being broadcast. In addition, it is possible to perform a function to automatically display in real time the information closely associated with the content currently being broadcast. For example, SMS functions provided by the CP may be provided, including local advertisements and emergency information. Information through the various application services may be provided by forming one application service screen area in the SDD 120.

The TV control screen generator 206 generates a separate control display area for TV channel change, volume adjustment, setting change, and the like. Such a control display area is generated based on a dynamic video according to an embodiment of the present invention rather than an image provided by a conventional TV.

The MDD video configurator 207 uses each display area provided through the cable TV / IPTV receiver 201, the Internet access processor 204, the application service processor 205, and the TV control screen generator 206. MDD display area is created by combining in the form set by. That is, as described above, the MDD display area may be divided into a TV display area, an Internet display area, an application service display area, a control display area, and the like.

In this case, each display area is combined to independently create four display areas of different sizes according to a user's preference to generate an MDD display screen for TV output, or to overlap a display area with a specific display. The area is processed transparently or semitransparently to generate an MDD display screen.

The SDD image forming unit 208 uses the display area provided by the cable TV / IPTV receiving unit 201, the Internet access processing unit 204, the application service processing unit 205, and the TV control screen generating unit 206 as described above. Creates an SDD display area by combining in the form set by. That is, the SDD display area may be divided into a TV display area, an Internet display area, an application service display area, and a control display area as described above.

In this case, in the form of combining the respective display regions, as in the MDD image forming unit 207, four display regions are independently changed in size according to a user's preference to generate an SDD display screen for SDD output. Alternatively, the display areas may be overlapped with each other, and then a specific display area may be transparently or semi-transparent to generate an SDD display screen.

The MDD image optimizer 210 optimizes the MDD display screen to suit the setting of the TV (ie, the MDD 110) to be used. In this case, various signal processing methods such as scaling, frame rate conversion, and enhancement may be applied.

The SDD image optimizer 211 optimizes the SDD display screen to suit the setting of the SDD 120 to be used. In this case, various signal processing methods, such as scaling, frame rate conversion, and enhancement, may be applied. Therefore, even when the dedicated SDD 120 device is used and connected via another smartphone 121, the optimized image can be generated and provided to the corresponding smartphone 121.

The image compression processing unit 212 performs a function of compressing original data because it is inappropriate to transmit video original data when using a smart phone or a tablet which is not equipped with a high-speed transmission / reception technology such as Gigabit. At this time, a processing configuration for restoring compression at the terminal receiving the compressed data should be added.

The SDD received signal processor 209 collects information input by a user using the SDD 120 or a pseudo-SDD (eg, the smartphone 121) through a touch screen or an input means. Perform the function. To this end, an uplink channel of the video communication I / F unit 214 may be used, or an uplink channel of WiFi may be used. Alternatively, a communication means such as Bluetooth (BT) may be used.

Meanwhile, the information received by the SDD reception signal processor 209 is transmitted to the main controller 203 to control the aforementioned display areas or to perform a command of a desired type.

The TV I / F unit 213 may use various connection means such as an HDMI / Component / Composite as an interface to the TV (ie, the MDD 110).

The video communication I / F unit 214 is an interface for transmitting original video data, and may use WirelessHD, WirelessUSB, WirelessPCI, or WiGig for HD signal transmission. In this case, a downlink may be used for transmitting original video data, and an uplink may be used as a return channel for transmitting input information by a user's touch screen.

The SDD data communication I / F unit 215 may be implemented in WiFi to use a smart phone or tablet as pseudo-SDD. If not using pseudo-SDD, it may be used for simple return channel implementation in SDD.

Meanwhile, the SDD related processing units 208, 211, 212, and 209 may be configured to manage a plurality of SDDs.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed structure of a slave display apparatus SDD according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the SDD 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a video communication I / F unit 310, a display I / F unit 320, and an image. The display unit 330 may include a display panel 330, an SDD data communication I / F unit 340, a sensor 350, a video decompression processor 360, and the like.

The video communication I / F unit 310 may use WirelessHD, WirelessUSB, WirelessPCI, WiGig, or the like for HD video signal reception as an interface for receiving original video data from the STB 100. In this case, the downlink channel may be used to transmit original video data as described above, and the uplink channel may be used as a return channel for user touch screen information.

The display I / F unit 320 is an interface for displaying received video original data on a display panel (for example, an LCD panel), and means an LCD driver or the like.

The sensing unit 350 may be implemented in various ways according to the use of the SDD 120. Basically, it is desirable to implement a touch screen sensor. That is, the user touches the touch screen to transmit the selection command of the SDD 120 to the STB 100. Meanwhile, if the user uses the SDD 120 as a game machine, a gravity oath, an acceleration sensor, or an orientation sensor may be added. In addition, a microphone or the like may be added to transmit voice data to the STB 100. At this time, by adding the voice recognition function to the main control unit 203, it is possible to control the MDD 100, such as channel change, volume control, etc. through the voice command.

The SDD data communication I / F unit 340 provides an interface for transmitting the data of the sensing unit 350 to the STB 100. In this case, since the amount of information transmitted from the sensing unit 250 is not large, WiFi or Bluetooth (BT) may be used. Meanwhile, the function of the SDD data communication I / F unit 340 may be replaced by the uplink of the video communication I / F unit 310.

The image decoding processor 360 decodes the compressed image data received from the SDD data communication I / F unit 340 and transmits the decoded image data to the display I / F unit 320. This may be selectively applied when the video communication I / F unit 310 is not used.

As shown, the SDD 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an MCU sub-system (ie, MCU, Flash, D-RAM, peripheral) and GPU sub-essentially used in general smart phones and tablets. Sub-systems (ie, GPUs, D-RAMs for graphics, peripherals) do not need to be added separately, so they can be manufactured with low cost and light products.

4 is a diagram illustrating a screen configuration of a slave display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the SDD 120 may be divided into a TV screen area 410, a TV control screen area 420, and an internet browser screen area 430. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 4, an application service screen area provided through an application service (eg, T-commerce) may be additionally provided.

According to the present invention, the TV screen area 410 may be resized according to the present invention by resizing the screen provided by the TV (that is, the MDD 110) and may be different from the broadcast screen of the MDD 110 according to a user's setting. You can also display the screen.

The TV control screen area 420 may provide various control means in the form of static or dynamic icons or buttons, and control the screen of the MDD 110 or the SDD 120 by clicking them. In addition, the Internet browser screen area 430 provides an Internet browser screen provided through the Internet connected through the STB 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Of course, the screen configuration of the above embodiment may vary and may be changed by application service or user selection.

5 is a diagram illustrating a digital broadcast control procedure through a slave display terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, when receiving broadcast information and broadcast related information from an external server (eg, the terrestrial broadcast server 140 or the cable broadcast server 141) in the STB 100 according to the present invention (S501 and S502), The STB 100 transmits this to the MDD 110 and also to the SDD 120 (S503 and S504). Meanwhile, on the screen of the SDD 120, the broadcast information and broadcast related information are divided and displayed as a separate display area as shown in FIG. 4.

In this case, when the screen control command is selected or input through the touch screen in the TV control screen area of the SDD 120 (S505), the corresponding screen control signal is transmitted to the STB 100 (S506), and the STB 100 is selected. ) Controls the screens of the MDD 110 or the SDD 120 according to the received control signals. Accordingly, the STB 100 configures the changed screen according to the control signal and transmits the changed screen to the MDD 110 and the SDD 120 (S508 and S509), respectively.

Meanwhile, when the target of interest is selected on the screen currently being broadcast by the SDD 120 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, user information is transmitted to the corresponding external server (ie, the ISO server 160 through the STB 100). Is sent to)). In this case, the transmitted user information may be a current time, a broadcast channel, selection location information, and the like.

The external server extracts information related to the selected object from the corresponding server by referring to the received user information (S513), and then transmits the extracted relevant information to the SDD 120 through the STB 100 (S514). , S515). The SDD 120 displays the received information through an application service area (S516).

In the case of STB, MDD, and SDD described above, the STB manages the screen contents and use status of the actual MDD and SDD, and it can be usefully applied when the main control means becomes SDD. It can be used as a display-type remote control or as a multi-function portable terminal that can enjoy multimedia and internet connection and application services. This can easily be effectively applied to other service areas, for example, to cater companies to share advertisements while sharing advertisements, or to financial services to provide users with MDD The financial service provider can be configured with a system having a minimum configuration for various services such as processing a task while manipulating the contents of the MDD through the SDD.

On the other hand, Figure 6 shows a configuration of a set-top box 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention cable TV / IPTV receiver 501, data communication I / F (Interface) unit 502, the main control unit 503, Internet connection processing unit 504, application service processing unit 505, TV control screen generation unit 506, MDD video configuration unit 507, SDD video configuration unit 508, SDD reception signal processing unit 509 , MDD image optimizer 510, SDD image optimizer 511, image compression processor 512, TV I / F unit 513, video communication I / F unit 514, SDD data communication I / F unit 515, the user I / F unit 516, and the like.

The basic configuration is similar to that of FIG. 2, but the illustrated configuration further includes a user I / F 516 that can directly control the STB 500. The user I / F 516 receives a user's input by a separate external user I / F 111 and provides the user input to the main controller 503. The user I / F unit 516 substantially provides an MDD. It may include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, or a touch sensor coupled to the MDD 110 for a user utilizing the display unit 110.

Here, in the case of the SDD image configuring unit 508, the SDD image optimization unit 511, the image compression processor 512, the SDD signal processor 509, and the SDD data communication I / F unit 515, a plurality of SDDs ( Connections to 120, 121, and 700 may be processed simultaneously, and different screen configurations and additional information (such as Internet information or other communication information) may be provided if necessary.

Looking at the configuration, the MDD 110 is not only manually operated by the operation of the STB 500 operated by the user of the SDD (120, 121, 700), but also by the user of the MDD 110 directly STB (500) It can be seen that the screen provided to the SDD (120, 121, 700) can be controlled by controlling the screen of the MDD (110) by controlling.

Accordingly, if necessary, the MDD 110 user may connect the cable TV / IPTV receiver 501, the Internet access processor 504, the application service processor 505, and the TV control screen generator 506 through an external user IF 111. Each display area provided through the control may be selectively displayed on the MDD 110, and the main controller 503 may also manage which of these images is selectively transmitted to the SDDs 120, 121, and 700. In some cases, other images may be provided to some of the SDDs 120, 121, and 700.

For example, the cable TV image may be provided to the SDDs 120, 121, and 700, and one of the SDDs 120 may be provided with an image obtained through an internet access screen or an application service processor 505 in a partial region. .

On the other hand, the application service processing unit 505 may be configured to process a specific service in addition to the function of providing the T-commerce, local advertising, local information, emergency information, and the like discussed above, which may be upgraded or Updates can be supplemented, updated, or added. For example, the MDD 110 user may provide an individual message to one of the SDDs 120, 121, and 700, or individually control, or exchange predetermined information with one of the SDDs through various user interface screens. It is possible to provide a function to enable local communication, such as to.

This allows master users who use MDD 110 and general users who use SDDs 120, 121, and 700, such as various educational services such as electronic textbooks, interactive education, language learning, and various local services such as electronic conferencing and resident management. It is possible to apply various services that require screen sharing, individual screen selection, mutual communication, mutual information exchange, external network utilization (internet connection, etc.), and only the contents of the application service processing unit 505 of the STB 500 need to be manipulated. Its application, modification and selective use are very easy.

7 shows the configuration of the system management unit 600 according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is basically an STB function and shows an expanded configuration in which the system management function is further enhanced. Many of the actual configurations may be similar to FIGS. 2 and 6 of the same name. However, in addition to the function of simply receiving a broadcast and delivering it to MDD and SDD, multimedia information is obtained from a storage medium (CD, DVD, USB, HDD, other storage) internal or external to the STB 600, or multimedia information in a data state. Obtains and configures the media / broadcasting / internet / data connection unit 601 configured to provide the main control unit 603 and connects with various networks (private network, data network, private network, telephone network, etc.) as well as the Internet. It may include a network connection 604 to extend the subject. To this end, the data communication I / F unit 602 may include an interface for further supporting or alternatively supporting other network connections as well as existing Internet connections.

Through the above configuration, various contents can be shared with SDD without a separate high quality control unit or image processing means, and various mutual control or mutual communication is possible through intermediate processing of the system manager 600 to provide various application services. It becomes possible.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed structure of a slave display device (SDD) according to another embodiment of the present invention. The basic configurations 710 to 760 illustrated in FIG. 3 are expensive GPU sub-systems similar to those of FIG. 3. SDD management unit 770, which maintains a configuration without) but minimally configures a control unit 771 for processing relatively simple information, and a memory unit 772 for temporarily storing information related to mutual communication or information through individual operations. This is the case when more is configured.

The SDD management unit 770 is not an expensive MCU sub-system for a smartphone or a tablet, but manages relatively simple input / output information, processes frequently used functions, and delays or bulks that may occur when using multiple SDDs. In response to data reception and storing information according to mutual communication or, if necessary, requesting and storing predetermined data may be performed. The controller 771 may include a function for processing a control screen or an input which is mainly used, and may reduce the load of the STB or the system manager. Even so, since the SDD 700 does not need to have an expensive MCU subsystem or a GPU subsystem, the SDD 700 may configure a system at a minimum cost to implement a similar service.

9 is a conceptual diagram for schematically explaining the functions through the embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, the STB 820 is connected to the Internet server 841, the broadcast server 842, and the education server through the communication network 830. 843) and other servers 845 to access various networks and servers to provide necessary content, and to respond to individual content requests by users of MDD 810 or users of SDD 851, 852, 853. It is configured to be.

Meanwhile, the STB 820 commonly uses at least a portion of an image provided to the MDD 810 to the plurality of SDDs 851 to 853 through high speed communication (Gbit or higher) or general communication (hundreds of Mbit or less). By providing (A type), the SDD 851 to 853 can share a high quality image in real time even if there is no expensive control unit or image processing unit.

In addition, the STB 820 may perform various processes according to a request of the MDD 810 user 813 through an external user interface and provide the result to a predetermined area 812 on the MDD 810. By the selection of the user 813, it may be selectively provided to the SDDs 851 to 853. That is, the user 813 may control the STB 820 as desired through the corresponding MDD 810 to select the desired content and broadcast it locally, or to transmit the contents of some screen areas only to the desired SDD 853, which is necessary. In this case, control of the predetermined SDD 853 may also be exercised, and individual communication (for example, messenger or information exchange using a specific user interface screen) may be performed only with the predetermined SDD 853 (type B).

Meanwhile, the SDD 852 may receive an image provided by the selection of the MDD user 813 and at the same time connect to the Internet server 841 to search or receive necessary information and display it on part or all of the screen. In addition, you can check various information by connecting to various accessible servers (type C).

Of course, this exchange of information is not only possible between the MDD user 813 and the SDD user 853, but also through the STB 820 between the SDD users 852 and 853 (D form).

As a result, the various control, broadcast, information exchange, and communication functions can be set and utilized between the SDD terminals and the STB users using the MDD according to the application service configured in the application service processor or the control scheme configured in the main controller. It can be applied to a service and can maintain a high level of service quality while lowering the cost of constructing a system for providing the service.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments, but should be determined by the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

100: STB 110: MDD
120: SDD 121: Smartphone
130: ISO 140: terrestrial broadcasting server
141: cable broadcasting server 150: public network
160: ISO server 161: CP server
162: CM Server 163: SM Server
201: cable TV / IP TV receiving unit 202: data communication I / F unit
203: main control unit 204: Internet access processing unit
205: application service processing unit 206: TV control screen generation unit
207: MDD image component 208: SDD image component
209: SDD reception signal processing unit 210: MDD image optimization unit
211: SDD image optimizer 212: Image compression processor
213: TV I / F section 214: Video communication I / F section
215: SDD data communication I / F unit 310: Video communication I / F unit
320: display I / F section 330: video display section
340: SDD data communication I / F unit 350: sensing unit
360: video decoding processing unit 410: TV screen area
420: TV control screen area 430: Internet browser screen area
500: STB 516: user I / F part
600: system management unit 601: media / broadcasting / Internet / data connection
604: network connection 700: SDD

Claims (1)

Generates raw data of the image for the master display device and the image for the slave display device with the received broadcast signal, respectively, and provides the generated image to the master display device by wire and wirelessly transmits to the slave display. A set top box for performing wireless data communication with the slave display device;
A master display device configured to receive and display an image generated for the master display device from the set top box; And
One or more slave displays that receive and display an image generated for the slave display device from the set top box, and provide a control screen area for providing control and communication information of the master display device or slave display device to a separate display area. A device;
The set top box includes a user interface unit for controlling the master display device, and a means for allowing the slave display device user and the master display device user to perform mutual communication and control while selectively controlling a delivery screen or display screen. Digital content control system, characterized in that configured.

Images